I’m trying to bring the grocery shopping back under control this month – mostly as relates to the number of trips per week.  This week I kept it to two.

First, I went to Wegman’s.  The primary purchase was to replenish the milk supply, but I picked up our other needs at the same time.  Apparently the Tuesday after New Year’s is not a good time to shop at Wegman’s.  Many departments were bare, including cereal which could easily have been stocked before the holiday.  Another person in the store commented to me about this also.  As a result, I ended up not getting everything on my list.

Later in the week I went to BJs.  Most of these items had store coupons.  I also topped up our milk and bread supplies.

This may not play out exactly as planned, but here’s what I have in mind.  Nothing is particularly perishable so if things move around a bit it will be fine.

Saturday:
Chicken & walnuts
Rice
Peas

Sunday:
Take out pizza for those of us who were actually home

Monday:
Tacos

Tuesday (we have an evening activity to work around):
Kids: Chicken nuggets
Adults: Homemade pizza

Wednesday:
Chicken pot pie
Green beans

Thursday:
Spaghetti & meatballs

Friday:
Kids: Eggs
Adults: Homemade pizza

There’s no way to deny it; I did a lot of grocery shopping this week.

On Tuesday, I went to Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Target, and the farm stand.  This was the second to last day of preschool before the holidays so I was trying to get done as much as possible without extra people in tow.  (The last day of preschool I went to the mall!)

The only reason I was going to Shaw’s again so soon is that they had no oatmeal last week, we’re out, and its on sale until the end of this month.  I also bought one ball of pizza dough to use this week.

I got a rather random set of items at Stop & Shop.  Everything except the cheese was on sale.  Pam gave $5 off for buying 8.  Since they’ll keep, I did.  I also got 4 gallons of milk that didn’t make the picture.

I had a return to do at Target, so I got a few items there also.  Juice was on sale.  I’ve been working on a new price book (more on that in a later post) so I now know that Target has the lowest prices on single serve raisin boxes.  Green sugar has been hard to find; the eyeballs just looked fun.

Finally, I went to the farm stand to order the turkey and pick up a few items.  The brownies were seconds, as were the peppers.  We ate one loaf of gingerbread for dessert that night; I put the other in the freezer.  The green beans went with the Shepard’s pie on Saturday.  Much of the broccoli, the red pepper, and the scallions went with the dumplings on Sunday.

Now for the meal plan.  I’m going to cover next weekend also since I don’t expect to be posting much mid-Christmas holidays.  I’ll also finish up this week’s shopping below because it will make more sense after you see the Christmas weekend menus.

Saturday:
Shepard’s pie
Green beans

Sunday:
Pork pan-fried dumplings
Soy dipping sauce
Broccoli stir fry
Brown rice

Monday – Friday:
Hit or miss, but easy, as I gear up for next weekend

Christmas Eve:
Beef roast
Carrots
Twice baked potatoes
Sausage stuffing

Christmas Day:
Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Stuffing
Roasted buttercup squash with tahini sauce and pomegranate
Green beans
Brussels sprouts
Cranberry sauce

Boxing Day:
Salmon Wellington
Dill sauce
Pan fried potatoes
(we’re having guests who will choose & bring other items)

Desserts being made this week:
Gingerbread cookies
Sugar cookies
Creme brulee (CE)
Pumpkin pie (CD)
Pecan pie (CD)
Key lime pie (CD)

Now to continue the shopping pictures.

On Saturday, I had to pick up cakes for Sunday’s birthday party so I got organized and did the Christmas shopping at Stop & Shop.  Coke was on sale for a better price than BJs, but you had to buy 4.  The grape juice is on sale for the holidays so I bought enough to last a while.  Peas were on sale.  The roasts were on sale and even though we won’t eat them this week, it was too good to pass up.  The New York strip roasts were $3.99/lb ($10.99 usually) and the boneless leg of lamb was $4.99/lb.  I put all three in the freezer for another time.  Spending just over $160 in one shopping trip got me 600 extra gas points, or 60¢/gallon off.

They had been forecasting the snow for most of last week so we had plenty of time to plan for Sunday & Monday.  As it turned out we got about an inch, followed by much rain that created icy slush.  The rain is supposed to stop about lunchtime so hopefully it will melt or I can get out to move it off the driveway before it freezes rock hard tonight.

I had a number of grocery stops this week.  On Monday I went to BJs; the coupons were set to expire.

Then on Thursday, I went to both Wegman’s and Shaws.  The first stop was Wegman’s.  Flour is on special for 99¢, limit 2, during the holiday season so you’ll see that in a few weeks worth of pictures.  Sugar is also limit 2, but I don’t need as much of that.

The next stop was Shaws.  It was important to go Thursday because cheese was on sale.  This is the only store that carries the pizza cheese (and we’ve tried many others to less satisfaction) so I bought everything on the rack.  I also bought enough cheddar to last until I next see it on sale (its available at other stores).  I stocked up on bacon, hot dogs, and pizza dough which are only available at Shaws.  I also bought a box of oatmeal, but that didn’t make the picture.  Usually I only go to Shaws every 6-8 weeks (hence the stocking up), but the one box of oatmeal was all they had so I’ll need to go back sometime this week if only for that.

We have a few nights out for the adults this week.  Plus, I don’t think the flight gets back Monday early enough for us all to eat together.  Tuesday & Thursday need to be quick as the boys have late afternoon activities.

Saturday:
Kids: hot dogs
Adults: Company dinner party

Sunday:
One gone for a business trip so take-out pizza

Monday:
Kids: Eggs
Adults: Homemade pizza

Tuesday:
Chicken pot pie
Green beans

Wednesday:
Potstickers (never got to this last week)
Soy dipping sauce
Broccolli

Thursday:
Asiago chicken

Friday:
Kids: Hot dogs
Adults: OUT

I really got my act together this week.  I made one stop and the farm stand on Monday for the turkey and a handful of other items.  Then, I went to Wegman’s on the Saturday after Thanksgiving which should largely take care of this upcoming week.  The items on the left – fish, swiss chard, and tomatoes – are for Monday’s dinner.  The rest are for Thanksgiving.

Given this, what did we have for Thanksgiving?  Well, I made:

• Herb rubbed turkey
• Apple cider glazed turkey
• Oyster stuffing
• Brown butter Brussels Sprouts
• Steamed green beans
• Boiled onions
• Tossed salad

Others brought desserts and additional sides.  Generally, this menu went over well and the leftovers were enjoyed as well.

After Thanksgiving, I went to Wegman’s.  The primary purpose of this trip was milk.  But, I rounded out some items we were low on at home and added a few things to get through this week.  The shallots and tenderloins will be adult dinner on Tuesday (Kindergarten math night means we’ll eat separately).  The limes and Tabasco are for a white chili on Monday night to polish off the turkey.